Just one more sleep separates Camila Cabello fans from the songbird’s debut solo album – ‘Camila.’

The self-titled set hatches tomorrow and has the world watching to see whether it’ll meet the lofty expectations set by the success of its hit single ‘Havana.’

Many will also be following to see how the set fares – given the drama that preceded it. Namely her departure from Fifth Harmony.

In the time since the split from her Epic label mates, Cabello has avoided questions about the group and instead steered the narrative in the direction of her own journey.

Yet, in an arguable checkmate media move, she does away with the political correctness and opens up about the situation in a new interview.

Speaking with the NY Times, the 21 year old claims her desires to explore solo terrain (while still in 5H) caused friction. She also branded their VMA performance (during which a fifth “member” is bounced off their platform) as “petty.”

She said that her collaboration in late 2015 with Mr. Mendes — the first time a Fifth Harmony member released music under her own name — had created tension; t hat she had asked to help write lyrics for Fifth Harmony songs and was rebuffed; that she initially wanted to stay in the group while working on a solo album but the other members shut her out instead.

“I was just curious and I wanted to learn and I saw all these people around me making music, writing songs and being so free,” she said. “I just wanted to do that and it did not work.”

Ms. Cabello said that after the awkwardness of her collaboration with Mr. Mendes, things further soured when she began attending writing sessions with producers including Diplo, Cashmere Cat and Benny Blanco. Eventually, she said, she was given an ultimatum.

“It became clear that it was not possible to do solo stuff and be in the group at the same time,” she said. So she made her choice, basing it on what she said was her conviction that “if anyone wants to explore their individuality, it’s not right for people to tell you no.”

Since the breakup, Ms. Cabello has tried to move on from hard feelings, throwing herself into “Camila.” (She changed its name from “The Hurting, the Healing, the Loving” partly to wash her hands of drama.)

But it hasn’t always been easy. In August last year, the remaining members took a less-than-subtle jab at their former groupmate with a stunt that opened a high-profile performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. As the camera zoomed in on a dark, elevated platform showing five women in silhouette, one was dramatically yanked off the stage as if hit by a truck.

Ms. Cabello’s eyes welled up as she recalled watching it live. She had been at home in the living room with her mother. “It definitely hurt my feelings,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting it, I wasn’t prepared for it — especially because at that point I’d moved on from it. I was just like, ‘What? Why?’”
“I have to make space for the good stuff to happen in my life,” she said. “I don’t like holding onto the past, especially when it’s stuff that, in my opinion, is just petty.”

The way we see it, there’s three sides to every story. And in this case, that’s Camila’s, the group’s, and the truth. Who knows, maybe the narrative has even more versions via each member of 5H.

What is certain is that Camila is clearly being guided by a stellar team.

Some may scoff, but she’s wisely chosen to share her “side” at a time that proves most beneficial for the project she’s pushing – her album. It’s essentially a case of “giving them what they want to know…when most advantageous for self.’

Again, some may raise eyebrows. But, in an arena where talent and music are just select pieces of much more complex puzzle, strategy is oh so important. And it’s more than apparent that Camila’s is on-point.

Camilla is milking this story of her being shut out for publicity. Every single member of 5H has done solo work and STILL be in the group.

The group scheduled counseling sessions so they could at least get one more album out before everyone’s solo endeavors and guess who was a no show? Camilla. Once that weak song with Shawn Mendes took off she was no longer interested in 5H that’s the truth.

The VMA performance was iconic for 5H period. If she felt sad or that it was petty… so was ditching your bread and butter with 5H for 2 failed buzz tracks and finally one sleeper hit with Havana.

What i hate about this girl is she comes off wanting to be tbe victim. She made plans to be a solo loooong before record deals doesnt just happen alot goes with it. She is unoriginal Real friends (Love yourself) Havana (Same old love) CITC (Sia and Ed) her team throws out singles and see what sticks. She strike it lucky with Havana she had 3 flop singles before that her fans acting like she been slaying since the begining they didnt even know Havana would slay. She is slay and fame hungry she is cancelled.

At this point good luck to all the girls…. Hopefully 5H can put together a good team. The next album needs to be out by June. Let’s move on from the last LP it was their best but it was slept on heavy. They need to write their own music and work with better producers (the songs that they wrote are the best on the album). The only way they will be successful is to gain back their pop fans. Also, where are the endorsements for the group? They should be seen. Its like epic used 5H to fund Camila. *side note…. Whats petty is signing with the same label as your ex-band mates. I know you see them at Epic’s events lol. Also, why talk now? The split was over a yr ago.

Camila is the star, always has been and always will be the only real star. Point blank period. The other members were b*** hurt because they knew the groups popularity would drizzle down after Camilas exit. But I really can’t blame her, you can’t let no one write your story. Beyonce would not be Beyonce if she was still dragging Michelle and Kelly behind her.

wow. dellusional on so many levels… for one Fifth Harmony’s sales remained the same with and without Camilla. but most importantly… 5H as much as I root for them can’t hold a candle to DC. Kelly’s latest release pulled 70k without streams… let’s see if she can do that even wiith streams included. plus Camilla can’t even hold her own vocally against Dinah or Lauren so to brand her the “Bey” of the group is just… no honey no.

EXACTLY! And she can’t dance the way Normani or Dinah. She can barely out dance Lauren…

for anyone to be the “Beyonce” of the group, you need to be arguably the best in every category.

her stans are disillusioned, mainly because whoever decides who sings what have largely catered their songs to fit Camila’s voice sadly.

Mark111January 11, 2018

She was being pushed and forced to the front from jump, so I’m sure if she wanted to write and produce, they (as in the team) would have rolled with it, hint Nicole from PCS and Beyonce from DC. Girl just shut up, you’re trying to NOW use this drama on the week of your album release. If you really want to move on, the you should stick with that played out pr “I’m on my journey” script you was using when your singles were flopping.

From the looks of it, it looks like she could have just stayed for one last album, flop and move solo. She just NOW got a solo hit.

I honestly think she felt and probably portrayed like she was the star of the group. Whichever is sort of evident by her wanting FH3 album to wait u till after she released her solo debut album.
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Successful or not I do feel she left prematurely. Like if solo success was destined for her it would come now or in a few years from now.
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I just don’t think she is anything spectacular as a soloist.

OH MY GOD this b**** is so transparent. there she goes playing the victim again… how come she never talked about being prevented from doing solo stuff before? if that were true then why is Lauren (who by that time had been working with other artists outside of 5H too) still in the group? and then the “eyes welled-up part” I’M PISSED I hate it when wolf in sheep’s clothing get away with their crap

Why are people comparing her to Beyonce? This girl could never. And why can’t she just take accountability of her actions in her departure. Beyonce, Kelly, and Michelle were all able to go solo and come back together. Would actually respect her than taking the Taylor Swift approach of trying to play victim. I mean the girl does look up to Taylor and mentions her all the time, which is probably smart because her fan base is probably little girls that are delusional